Werner H Horter

Werner H. "Vern" Horter, age 86 of Grafton, ND passed away on Monday, August 30, 2010 at his home in Grafton. Vern was born April 19, 1924 in Radium, MN the son of the late Albert and Jeanne (Ruch) Horter. He attended first grade in Radium, then moved to Thief River Falls, MN with his family where he completed his education. He worked on the family farm while he completed his education. Vern served in the United States Army from May 10, 1943 - April 23, 1946. He served as a Sergeant on an anti-aircraft gun in the European Theater serving in France, Belgium and Germany. He also served as an interpreter in Germany and ran the motor pool in Germany until his discharge. He returned to Thief River Falls, MN and started working for Wilson Brothers on a route. He later transferred to Grafton, ND and worked there for several years. He was united in marriage to Donna Ann Markholt on September 4, 1949 in Grafton. He later started Grafton Auto and Electric Co. In the early 1960's he sold the business to his brother Cliff and Vern started teaching auto mechanic's at the AVTI in Thief River Falls, MN. He later worked for Northwest Power Systems in Thief River. In the mid 1970's Vern went to work as Service Manager for Hanson's Auto in Grafton where he served as manager until 1989. From 1989 until his death Vern was working as a mechanic for Hanson's Auto. He was a member of the Zion English Lutheran Church where he served on the church board. He was a member of the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the Grafton V.F.W. Post #9367, he was a member of the Lutheran Layman's League, he served on the Grafton City Council for 20 years from April of 1960-April of 1980 and he also served on the Advisory Board for the Northwest Technical College in East Grand Forks, MN. He is survived by his children: Chuck (Julie) Horter, Bismarck, ND; Vicki (Dean) Gorder, Grand Forks, ND; six grandchildren: Rachel (Justin) Foster, Stacey (Gabe) Dahl, Andrea (Kyle) Leftwich, Derek Gorder, Allison Gorder and David Gorder, four great grandchildren; sisters: Elaine Ottinger, San Antonio, TX; Lorraine Steiger, Thief River Falls, MN; Bernice Mason, Moline, IL; sister-in-law; Ramona Horter, Grafton, ND; brother-in-law; Kermit Mason, Cleveland, OH. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He is also survived by special friends: Steve and Mary Rudnik, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Donna on Feb. 20, 1997, an infant brother Daniel Horter, his brother Cliff and sisters: Polly Francis, Lucy Knoll, Delores Mason, Janice Smuda, and granddaughter Catherine Jeanne Horter. Funeral services will be Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at the Zion English Lutheran Church of Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7:30 PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Friends may also call at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard. Memorials are preferred to the Zion English Lutheran Church in Grafton.